Still, lead author Ashley Brooks-Russell, an assistant professor in the Colorado School of Public Health, said the findings "highlight that it is relatively easy to access a handgun in Colorado for high school students. "It's clear from our findings that we need to raise awareness and improve efforts to reduce firearm access for youth in Colorado to prevent suicide and fatal injuries," said Brooks-Russell in a statement. "We hope our findings will help inform public health strategies, such as educating parents on the importance of secure home firearm storage, particularly if an adolescent is at risk for suicide."